Allergic rhinits and its impact on asthma - aria. Control and prevention of respiratory allergies in pharmacy practice

Epidemiological studies on respiratory allergies have shown that allergic rhinitis (AR) and bronchial asthma (BA) often coexist in the same patient. The premise `one respiratory system, one disease` marks a change in diagnostic and therapeutic treatment of respiratory allergies. Allergic Rhinits and Its Impact on Asthma-ARIA Initiative at WHO aims to spread, educate and implement evidence-based management of allergic rhinitis as a risk factor for development of asthma worldwide. This study reviews current concepts and trends in the management of respiratory allergies in compliance with the recommendations of ARIA

Characteristics of Interpersonal Relationships Between Girls Suffering From Love Addiction and Their Fathers

Introduction. The paper (a) examines the characteristics of interpersonal relationships between 16–19-year-old girls suffering from love addiction and their fathers and (b) provides an overview of previous studies on the issue. In the latter, the father’s role is recognized to be among its major contributing factors. Empirical data were collected during psychological counseling of young female love addicts. The present study focuses on the nature of interpersonal relationships between daughters suffering from love addiction and their fathers and discusses preventive measures against such dependency in new generations of Russian females. Methods. These were (a) the Love Addiction Test by A. Yu. Egorova; (b) the Interpersonal Dependency Inventory by R. Hirschfeld; (c) the Teenagers About Parents technique by L. I. Wasserman, I. A. Gor'kova, and E. E. Romitsyna; (d) the Family Sociograms by E. G. Eidemiller and O. V. Cheremisin; (e) the technique for assessing father-daughter relationships; (f) the My Relations with Men in the Eyes of Others self-assessment technique. Statistical procedures for data processing included Spearman’s correlation and Mann–Whitney U test. Results. The study presents the results of comparative analysis of father-daughter relationships in two study groups – young female love addicts and those having no signs of pathological love. The findings suggest that with age interpersonal dependency decreases in girls not suffering from love addiction and increases in young female love addicts

Allergic Rhinitis - Risk Factor for Bronchial Asthma in Children

In recent decades, both worldwide and in our country, there is a noticeable increase in allergic diseases, including those of respiratory system - bronchial asthma and allergic rhinitis. Epidemiological studies show that these conditions often coexist in the same patient. Allergen - specific sensitization is one of the major risk factors for the development of asthma in children. Allergic rhinitis usually precedes asthma. The premise `one respiratory system, one disease` marks a change in diagnostics and therapeutic treatment of respiratory allergies. Currently allergen-specific immunotherapy, administered in the early stage of the disease, is the only treatment that could have disease-modifying effect.The aim of this study is to analyze what proportion of children with asthma suffer from allergic rhinitis and what are the most common therapeutic schemes and practices used in the prophylaxis and treatment of the condition.For this purpose we conducted a survey among parents of children suffering from bronchial asthma on the territory of the city of Varna. Data were processes statistically based on respondent`s answers and were presented graphically. Results confirm that allergic rhinitis is a widespread disease among children with asthma and that is often neglected and not diagnosed and managed in time. Early diagnostics and adequate control of allergic rhinitis is crucial to stop the disease progression to asthma

Quality of Life in Patients with Bronchial Asthma in Childhood

Bronchial asthma is a major cause of morbidity in children in developed countries. In recent years, a large number of epidemiological studies have found an in- creased incidence of childhood asthma which makes this respiratory disorder the most frequent chronic dis- ease in childhood. Many factors are responsible for the huge incidence of asthma: triggering factors from the external environment, the use of inappropriate an- ti-inflammatory medication, lack of assistance with regard to therapeutic regimen, inadequate training of patient (family). The quality of life adolescents suffer- ing of bronchial asthma and their families often is ex- tremely deteriorated. Asthma may limit the ability of children to play, learn and sleep, to lead normal active life. Achieving disease control is the main goal of the treatment conducted. The Global initiative for asthma (GINA) defines control on asthma as minimal chron- ic symptoms, no emergency medical visits, no need of saving medication, normal daily activity, social adap- tation and school attendance.The aim of this study is to analyze the quality of life of children with asthma based on the achieved disease control. To achieve this goal a survey was conducted among parents and children of various ages in the city of Varna. Data from the surveys were processed using mathematical and statistical methods, and the results are presented by graphic images.Results show that in early childhood, when the treatment is performed under the supervision of par- ents, a well-controlled treatment is achieved compared to teenage years.Bronchial asthma is a chronic disease that is best affected in `therapeutic cooperation` between clini- cians, patients and their families. Implementation of training programs for children and parents will im- prove their compliance and execution of their indi- vidual treatment plan, and hence disease control and quality of life of patients

Digital Diplomacy and Big Data: Lessons from the Political Crisis in Venezuela, 2018–2019

Introduction. The article reveals the current U.S. digital diplomacy applying the case study referred to the political crisis in Venezuela culminated in late 2018 and early 2019, when the speaker of the National Assembly Juan Guaido declared himself the self-proclaimed acting president after the elections. Confrontation between his supporters and those of the incumbent President Nicolas Maduro reached its apogee. The aim of the research is to reveal whether the U.S. has been able to influence the development of the political situation and opinion of Venezuelan citizens through various digital diplomacy instruments and international broadcasting channels. The analytical part of the paper is divided into two sections. The first section discusses methodological issues relative to research in the field of digitalization of U.S. foreign policy and international relations in general. These methodological approaches are tested on the case study, namely the U.S. digital diplomacy in Venezuela in the second section of the paper. Methods. The methodology of the research includes the analysis of big data and social media. The primary sources are the accounts of U.S. officials, government-sponsored media, Venezuelan media, and bloggers. Twitter was surveyed to the extent that active political discussions flared up there during the crisis. At the time, Venezuela had the third highest number of Twitter users in the world. Analysis. Using the machine analytics, about 10 million tweets were retrieved, allowing us to determine the place of the U.S. governmental accounts among the influencers of public opinion in Venezuela. Results. The analysis shows that local digital media, and the activity of bloggers and politicians, including Juan Guaido and Nicolas Maduro, had more impact on the Twitter community and Venezuelans than U.S. channels of digital diplomacy or tweets of American politicians. The more active local bloggers are, the less chances were left for external players including the United States as well as Russia, China, or Europe, to change public opinions of Venezuelans. Authors’ contribution. Anna Sytnik carried out the big data analysis using Python programming language and developed the methodological foundations of the research. Natalia Tsvetkova developed the methodological foundations of the research and made the interpretations of analysis in terms of U.S. digital and data diplomacy. Ivan Tsvetkov developed the contextual frameworks of the case study. Key words: United States, digital diplomacy, data diplomacy, datafication, Venezuela, Twitter

Оценка восприятия цифровой медицины молодежным сегментом потребителей

The purpose of the study is to assess the perception of various aspects of digital medicine by the youth segment of consumers, the degree of readiness to consume its services and the level of involvement in this process. The last few years have become a turning point for medicine, if we talk about the number of new directions, emerging techniques and the introduction of digital technologies. Digital medicine uses information and communication technologies to solve health problems of different groups of patients. Its capabilities help doctors and patients to analyze the development of the disease, calculate health risks. The segment of medical gadgets of digital medicine offers consumers a variety of products. Artificial intelligence and wearable devices are becoming common means of organizing the treatment process and monitoring the human condition. Young people, as a rule, more actively perceive any novelties and include еthem in their daily life. Is it really so? If we consider Russian young consumers, since foreign experience indicates their rather high interest.Materials and methods of research. The presented study of the perception of the youth audience and readiness to use digital medicine is based on the methodology, proposed by the venture Fund Rock Health, dedicated to digital health. This Fund conducts research, aimed at improving the quality, safety and accessibility of modern medicine. The study is conducted by online survey of consumers who have access to the Internet at home, at work or through cell phones. The questionnaire was adapted for the Russian target audience. The results of the research of the consulting company Accenture, which regularly studies the trends in the consumption of medical technologies with the use of artificial intelligence, robotics and gadgets for self-diagnosis, were used as a factual basis. Data of research of the analytical company CB Insights, forming annual forecasts about the changes in healthcare, and also materials of joint research of the company Econsultancy and the developer of IT technologies for medicine Adobe are considered. The article presents some data of the report of the American company Change Healthcare, which has a strategic partnership with Google Cloud.Results of the research on the one hand, show the high involvement of young people in the field of digital technologies. The survey includes 380 respondents, 89% are smartphone users and 83% regularly visit social networks. However, they are quite wary of digital medicine, requiring the control of personal data. They trust their doctor more than mobile apps and Internet resources; they are reluctant to buy wearables, little understanding of what is telemedicine. They are limited to searching for medical information on the Internet only about services, doctors, medicine and treatment technologies to find out general information.Conclusion. The content analysis shows that digital medicine is becoming a popular trend in the development of modern healthcare. New technologies are being introduced, the key areas of development of which are focused on the Internet of things for medicine (IoT), artificial intelligence, mobile apps, genome editing, telemedicine, blockchain projects and cloud computing. The Russian market is slowly developing. Young consumers are not yet active in the consumption of digital health services and products. The key reasons for this are low awareness of the benefits and concerns about the security of the personal data.Цель исследования заключается в оценке восприятия молодежным сегментом потребителей различных аспектов digital healthcare или цифровой медицины, степени готовности потреблять её услуги и уровня вовлечения в данный процесс. Последние несколько лет стали переломными для медицины, если говорить о количестве новых направлений, появившихся методик и внедрении цифровых технологий. Цифровая медицина использует информационные и коммуникационные технологии, чтобы решать проблемы со здоровьем различных групп пациентов. Её возможности помогают врачам и пациентам анализировать развитие болезни, рассчитывать риски для здоровья. Сегмент медицинских гаджетов цифровой медицины предлагает потребителям различные товары. Искусственный интеллект и носимые устройства становятся привычными средствами организации лечебного процесса и мониторинга состояния человека. Молодежь, как правило, более активно воспринимает любые новинки и включает в свою повседневную жизнь. Действительно ли это так, если рассматривать российских молодых потребителей, поскольку зарубежный опыт свидетельствует об их достаточно высокой заинтересованности.Материалы и методы исследования. В основе представленного исследования оценки восприятия молодежной аудиторией и готовности к потреблению цифровой медицины лежит методология, которая предложена посвященным цифровому здравоохранению венчурным фондом Rock Health. Данный фонд проводит исследования, направленные на повышение качества, безопасности и доступности современной медицины. Исследование проводится методом онлайн-анкетирования потребителей, имеющих доступ к Интернету дома, на работе или через мобильные телефоны. Анкета была адаптирована для российской целевой аудитории. В качестве фактологической базы были использованы результаты исследования консалтинговой компании Accenture, регулярно изучающей тенденции потребления медицинских технологий с применением искусственного интеллекта, робототехники и гаджетов для самодиагностики. Рассмотрены данные исследования аналитической компании CB Insights, формирующей ежегодные прогнозы о происходящих в здравоохранении изменениях, а также материалы совместного исследования компании Econsultancy и разработчика IT-технологий для медицины Adobe. В статье приводятся некоторые данные отчета американской компании Change Healthcare, имеющей стратегическое партнерство с Google Cloud.Результаты исследования показывают высокую вовлеченность молодежи в сферу диджитал технологий. Из 380 респондентов полевого исследования авторов публикации 89% являются пользователями смартфонов и 83% постоянно посещают социальные сети. Тем не менее, к цифровой медицине относятся достаточно настороженно, требуя контроля персональных данных. Доверяют больше своему лечащему врачу, чем мобильным приложениям и Интернет-ресурсам. Неактивно приобретают фитнес-браслеты, недостаточно понимают, что такое телемедицина. Ограничиваются поиском информации медицинского характера в Интернет только об услугах, врачах, лекарствах и технологиях лечения, причем больше справочного характера.Заключение. Проведенный контент-анализ показывает, что цифровая медицина становится популярным направлением развития современного здравоохранения. Постоянно внедряются новые технологии, ключевые направления развития которых сосредоточены на Интернете вещей для медицины (IoT), искусственном интеллекте, мобильных приложениях, редактировании генома, телемедицине, внедрении блокчейна и облачных технологий. Российский рынок развивается, но медленнее. Молодые потребители пока неактивны в потреблении услуг и товаров цифровой медицины. Ключевые причины – невысокая информированность о преимуществах и беспокойство о безопасности персональных данных

Level of hypertension treatment adherence during pandemic

Adherence to antihypertensive medications is the cornerstone for achieving metabolic syndrome control. The aim of this study was to explore how the pandemic has affected the adherence of patients with high BP to prescribed antihypertensive drugs. This multicentre observational study utilized self-completed questionnaires among patients between June and November 2020. Overall, 842 patients were included in the study. The likelihood of adherence was assessed using the 5‐item version of the Medication Adherence Report Scale (MARS-5Professor Rob Horne). The average MARS score of the sample was 16.81, the median was 4.162, and the most common value was 3 (24.5% of respondents) for the patients treated during the pandemic. The study suggests that several sociodemographic factors but not the COVID pandemic play a role in treatment adherence

The influence of shift work on metabolic health

Recently, the world literature has been actively discussing the effect of circadian rhythm and sleep disturbances on human metabolic health. One of the most socially significant causes of circadian disorders is the shift work schedule. Shift work schedules began to occur more often due to the high demand for flexibility and labor productivity in modern society. Shift work is characteristic of medical personnel, law enforcement officials, rescue services, transport, the media and others. Shift workers make up about 17% of all workers in Europe. Globally, approximately 2.5 billion people work in shifts. Shift work was identified as an important professional risk. The connection between work with rotation of day and night shifts with overweight and obesity, with circadian rhythms and sleep disorders was proved. The review systematizes information regarding the role of the shift chart in the development of obesity and the metabolic syndrome, and considers mechanisms that mediate its effect on the regulation of energy balance